Notes: Not much to say that wasn't said here, but if the Pistons can extend their win streak to four, they'll move to within a half game of the Knicks for 10th in the East. That doesn't sound like much, but we take baby steps around here lately.

The Knicks are a dysfunctional team. The only two guys most assuredly coming back are Gallinari and Chandler. The Knicks also have a group of veterans like Al Harrington, Larry Hughes and Chris Duhon who are free agents and have to worry about getting a contract next year. Unfortunately, coach Mike D'Antoni has not been overly sympathetic and has handed out minutes very inconsistently. Here was Hughes after Saturday's Pistons game:

"It's a joke.''
That salvo was uttered by Larry Hughes after last night's loss to the Pistons - fourth in five games. He was referring to Mike D'Antoni's weird ways - his ever-revolving rotation and inability to communicate to the players effected. He was referring to playing nine minutes in the first half, with no notice, and then being benched again in the second half. Hughes hadn't played in seven straight games since Nate Robinson's Jan. 1 return. Perhaps the coach could've given him a heads-up.

The incident with Hughes follows incidents with Nate Robinson. The Knicks are just simply not a team the Pistons should lose to. They proved through three quarters that they can allow David Lee to get his numbers and contain everyone else. That has to be the plan again going into today's game in New York. Lee playing well is one thing, but when young streaky guys like Robinson or Chandler get it going and the crowd gets into the game, it's bad news. Look for the Knicks to go to Jordan Hill a bit earlier in today's game -- the rookie was pretty effective in the second half Saturday.